Pottery also figures into the history of this town, which was founded by sturdy Scandinavians and Scots in 1847; specifically salt-glazed pottery -- a method by which a shiny, glazed surface is created by tossing rock salt into the kiln during the firing stage.

The art was introduced to the area in 1975 when Jim and Tina Rowe founded Rowe Pottery Works in downtown Cambridge, which swiftly became one of the largest salt-glazed pottery manufacturers in the U.S. The company is best known for its weathered and antiqued blue and gray floral designs.

Never mind that Cambridge had several reader poll credits to its name, including "prettiest small town in Dane County." It was getting a grand deal on one of these pots and the painless, two-hour drive from Chicago that drew my boyfriend and me into Wisconsin's sprawling farmland north of Janesville.

We uncovered a lot more about this village of 1,000 during our stay at Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast, the colonial-style home once owned by Sears Roebuck executive Percy G. Saunders.

With no shortage of fine B&Bs in Cambridge, it was owner Patricia New's family background that reeled us in: While I was talking to her on the phone, she mentioned that she came from a family of 13, all born and raised in town. I could already hear the stories being told over breakfast -- tidbits that would only make our trip more pleasurable.

The antique-adorned house, set back among a family of pine trees, has three guest rooms, each a Victorian period piece: cherry spindle beds, French lace curtains, oak woodwork, stained glass and hurricane lamps are impeccably well-maintained and will have you admiring the details for hours.

Cambridge may set the stage for serene country living, but it wasn't always slow-paced. "Davidson of Harley-Davidson is from here," New said over breakfast, which one morning included fresh-from-the-oven pecan rolls, a fresh fruit compote, toast with homemade raspberry jam and rich quiche Lorraine. "The bike engine was invented in a garage that was once over there," she said pointing out the window.

Cambridge's history is brimming with speed: It's also the hometown of Ole Evinrude, the inventor of the outboard boat motor who, according to New, got so fed up back in 1909 with having to row across Lake Ripley that he devised a motorized engine to get the job done.

Another townie told us that the Evinrudes and the Davidsons were best buddies. Both families, however, eventually took their specialties elsewhere.

What gets the town fired up nowadays is No. 17 -- NASCAR driver Matt Kensith. It seems as if every other house and establishment bears the famous local's flag.

We decided to break our two days in town into two parts: One day was spent roaming the area's expansive park and trail system and learning some of the village's 152-year-old history; the other was devoted to the many artisan shops and scouring the overloaded antique "malls."

Cambridge has always been big on keeping the history of the village intact, especially architecturally. Thanks to the Cambridge Design District Committee and strict zoning laws, the village's downtown Main Street looks almost as it did over a century ago. In fact, all of the buildings from the opera house to the wagon factory to the blacksmith shop, although now inhabited by newer businesses, are still faithful to the period in which they were built.

The committee, a group that vows to maintain and preserve Cambridge's history, consults newer businesses that set up shop downtown on exterior design and color. Even McDonald's would have a hard time propping up its arches in Cambridge; there's a law prohibiting fast-food chains from invading the town.

Outdoor recreation is popular in Cambridge, thanks to several nice parks whose trails link up with the 300-acre Cam-Rock park system, which is shared with neighboring Rockdale. In summer the trails appeal to hikers and bikers, and come winter, cross-country skiers rule. There are also areas that are available for tobogganing and snowmobiling.

An ice rink at West Side Park, on Koshkonong Creek at the center of town, is popular with skaters beginning in December. In June, the park hosts the annual Pottery Festival, which attracts 10,000 to 15,000 people for its nationally recognized pottery competition.

Trails are well maintained. Our walk on the Cam-Rock park system trails took us through miles of maple, elm and ash trees, marshes, creeks and picturesque bridges.

Lake Ripley Park and its 600-acre spring-fed namesake lake, though overrun with boaters in the summer, still sports decent fishing, especially walleye. In winter, the lake is popular for ice fishing.